There are many questions surrounding acupuncture and IVF treatments as ways to treat infertility. First one among them are questions on whether there is a point in time where it’s no longer safe for a woman to be treated with acupuncture after she has undergone IVF therapy and about what forms of infertility can be addressed with acupuncture. Research has shown that acupuncture is as effective in treating certain types of infertility as IVF treatment. The first step in understanding the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for IVF is in knowing what forms of infertility apply and not apply to these modalities.

IVF and acupuncture represent a process being utilized that precedes a certain procedure. Before it brings about really good results, acupuncture must be given several times. These treatments can be used to bring about pregnancy and during pregnancy. Oftentimes, acupuncture is used along with other forms of treatment. These include herbal medicine or some other type of Chinese medicine treatment like moxibustion, cupping, or Chinese massage. If you plan to take herbal remedies, consult with your doctor first. Some herbs may be contraindicated with the drugs you are currently taking. After a patient has undergone an IVF treatment, the kinds of acupuncture therapy that is acceptable will change, as well. Talk to a qualified acupuncturist who knows all about these kinds of situations.

When a woman is pregnant, it is important to note there are certain acupoints that should not be treated with needles or stimulated by any other means. The acupoints that SHOULD NOT BE STIMULATED in a pregnant woman include the Stomach 12, Gallbladder 21, Large Intestine 4, Bladder 67, Bladder 60, and Spleen 6 points. Also, no points on the lower should be stimulated since it is where the unborn baby resides. Once the woman is with child, all herbal treatment she took before her pregnancy should be reevaluated. Because it has minimal risks and its capacity to treat several types of fertility problems, acupuncture is a very attractive option before the patient considers IVF.

A lot of women consider both IVF and acupuncture for several good reasons. Combined with other treatment modalities, acupuncture has been proven to boost fertility. Even during the first few months of pregnancy, there treatments are often allowed to continue. There are studies proving that acupuncture can help lessen the risk of a miscarriage. Acupuncture, prior to IVF, is becoming more and more a go to treatment for infertility. It can treat conditions such as spasmed tubes. Males with infertility issues can also be treated of their sexual performance and virility issues, as well as unexplained infertility with acupuncture.

There are certain types of infertility that acupuncture cannot treat though. These include blocked tubes and some issues in which structural issues in the patient’s body are to blame. Most of the time acupuncture is combined with herbal medicine to attain optimal results. Fertility problems such as low levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone, for example, can best be remedied with herbal therapy and acupuncture. IVF and acupuncture are two kinds of medical intervention that should be performed by qualified practitioners. License to practice acupuncture is required by most states. Make sure your acupuncturist has such certification besides having extensive experience in treating infertility and pregnancy issues before you go through with the treatment.